Traveling preferences

When I was in my 20s', I preferred to travel to famous city such as London or Paris as I find it glamorous to let my friends know I visited those cities. But over past few years, my preference has changed. I prefer nature more where I can chill and relax without being surrounded by a big crowds. I get tired easily when I'm surrounded by sea of people. Also, cities don't appeal to me too much because I will be looking at steel structures all around me. To be honest, I'm sick and tired of looking at buildings. Sometimes even claustrophobic. I admire interesting and unique buildings design like those designed by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. Those are really fascinating and unique. Otherwise I will stay away from having my holidays in cities.

In my early 30s', it was still a balance of both cities and nature holidays. But from mid 30s' onwards it all changed for me especially towards the recent few years I prefer more scenic and cultural types of holidays. I find it really relaxing and I can recharge and rejuvenate compare to cities as it is much more laid back. Beside shopping also isn't on the top of my to do lists anymore hence cities don't have much to offer me compare to nature and scenic holidays.

What I actually likes to do a lot more now is adventure holidays where I can try fun and exciting outdoor adventures such as skydiving, zip lining, bungee jump and etc. I also like to try 4x4 wheels driving holidays. But traveling solo can be boring if I do driving holidays. Sigh. This is the time I wish I have a man in my life so that we can explore the world together. My gfs' aren't adventurous or they have budget constraints. So can't go with them. Oh well, I guess I have no choice but to do it on my own. I plan to do one next year to Tibet if I have time.

I also want to go New Zealand and do a driving holidays. I will plan one soon. Another on the top of my bucket list is Northern lights. I really wish to see it with a love one (at that time I was hoping to be him. Haha. Silly me), but now I don't mind with friends or family. Hoping to catch northern lights end of 2018/early 2019 😁😁😁.

I still wish to go to Bora-Bora with a man I love, but if I still don't have one when I want to go there then I will go alone. A tad not so fun, but then again I can have a summer fling with a  hot guy. Haha. Will see.

And for which season is my favourite, it has to be spring and summer because the weather is nice. Bright and sunny. Not too overly cold in spring hence I don't need to bring to many coats and boots when I travel compare to winter. Summer is my favourite and prefer month because it is my birthday month hence I love it. Haha. Beside I can pack light. Shorts, summer dresses, tank tops and sandals.
I dislike winter a lot because it is gloomy, cold and rainy. I hate it when I'm on holiday the weather sucks. Just makes me feel moody and I have to stay indoor all the time. Really depressing. Plus I have to pack a lot of clothes too. That will fill up my luggage before I even start shopping 🙄🙄.
Nowadays I hate a heavy luggage. I prefer to travel light unlike when I was younger, I packed a lot of clothes because I changed 3x a day. Haha....Yes I did. But now I just want to wear comfortable clothes and if I don't bring enough clothes I can always buy and wear on the spot. Last time, I wouldn't want to wear the new clothes until I got back to my own country. Seriously I was weird 😂😂.

Fall isn't a bad time to travel too, but not my favourite because the weather can be erratic too. 1 hour sunny and bright, the next rainy and gloomy since it is moving into winter. I think my preferences have to do with my age too. As I mature, I look at life very differently and I'm at this phase of life where I'm moving towards decluttering. So traveling preferences also have changed drastically over the years except for the fact that I still need to stay in a luxury hotel/resort on my every trip. Hahaha. Luxury can be a boutique hotel too, not necessary need to be W Hotel, Conrad or Banyan just to name a few.

And if it is long distance I need to fly Business class. Again, not willing to compromise on this at all. Long distance being more than 5 hours for me 😛😛. Yes, it is necessary. A need. Not even a want. LOL.

Anyway, in 2018 I hope I can travel to Tibet and to Iceland for northern lights. I have put off these 2 places for a few years now and it is time I have to make sure I fulfill it and check it off my bucket lists.

Bangkok Break (24-26 Nov 2017)

Last night in Bangkok. Arrived yesterday (24 Nov 2017) and leaving tomorrow (26 Nov 2017). Staying at Siam Kempinski. This trip is a short break and shopping trip with Gin, my gf. Is darn tiring as we spent long hours shopping and walking.

Now we are waiting for Uber to go to Rod Fai night market! Been waiting for 30mins already although it said he is only 5 mins away. When I ordered the Uber ride it was 6.08pm and 9mins away. Now 6.36pm and 4mins away!! Bangkok traffic is horrendous. A supposing 9mins distance. Crazy!! Finally inside the car and otw to Rod Fai night market.

I bought a lot of tops. Not expensive but nice designs. For daily wear. I'm not brand conscious when it comes to clothes. It sure feels good to wear a designer brand but it doesn't adds to my self worth. Beside I don't like to spend my clothes for dry cleaning as it is too troublesome. Hence I usually buy non-branded clothes to wear. I'm a simple person who isn't brand conscious. And nowadays I will be only dress up when there is an event. Otherwise I prefer comfortable clothes.

This 2nd part is written in a plane as I'm flying back to KL now. The short break and shopping had come to an end so is time to go back to work. Next week should be an interesting week with 3 meetings schedule.

This trip was tiring on my feet as I walked a lot! Every night I needed to soak my feet in hot water to soothe the tiredness. And I ate a fair bit so need to start dieting when I'm back in KL. I have a tummy now 😭😭! Need to get back my flat stomach. We went back to the same local Thai restaurant for lunch 2 days in a row - Taling Pling (restaurant name). The food were yummy and reasonably price.

My verdict of this trip ....hmm, Siam Kempinski is an overrated hotel that isn't worth the rate they are charging. It is an old and tired hotel that can use a refurbishment. The location is excellent, but not enough to make me want to return to stay again. The customer service was not on par with 5 stars luxury at all. I had problem with the TV in my room for the 2 nights I stayed there. Even after fixing, there were still issues. Pretty annoying to be honest. But I didn't let it spoilt my holiday. Just don't think is worth the price I paid for it and definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone. And housekeeping standard sucks....on my 1st night I could see the floor was dusty. I expected it to be in tip top condition but it wasn't. So not happy with that. At best I will rate Siam Kempinski 4 stars. That's my verdict for the hotel. From the limited photos I took, you can draw the conclusion that the hotel is just normal and nothing to shout about. If it is a great hotel I would had taken a lot more photos. Haha.

As for the trip itself.......not bad overall as I had eaten some delicious local Thai food, bought some inexpensive tops and accessories. But it would be much better if Gin was less budget conscious. Having said that I have to give her a big thumb up for agreeing to stay at Siam Kempinski as it was more expensive than her usual budget. But then she did complaining non-stop too that it was expensive and next time must stay in cheaper hotel. The fact was I asked her if she was ok with the hotel and budget and she said yes. Then she repeated a few times that the hotel too expensive. Sigh. I gave her the chance to say no and even suggest other hotels, but she said go ahead. So I did. Anyway, it wasn't too unbearable so it didn't affect me at all. And she can eat a lot so was kinda nice as we ordered many dishes to try. Haha.

Shopping in Bangkok was really fun as I managed to find good quality bargains and there were sale everywhere. So plenty of choices to choose from. I will post some photos of my loots as well 😉😀.
We talked, but not deep talked as when we were in Bali. This trip she talked about her kids more and I was fine with it. What I didn't find fine was when she commented that she will just bear with her life even though she feels trap in it! This is something I can't accept. I'm not asking her to have an exciting life, but at least not waste it away by just accepting the current situation. Fix it! She knows there are issues in her marriage, but she doesn't wants to talk to her husband about it. And her hubby also doesn't initiate the talk so both of them ignore the issues and continue living a life that isn't a fulfilling marital life. Sexless for over 9 years!!! Crazy and unbelievable. Her husband is really weird. I seriously couldn't understand how they could live a life like that??

Oh well, is her choice so I'm not going to say too much but respect her choice even though I feel that she isn't living her life to the fullest. Everyone of us have our own destiny and path to follow so it isn't my place to tell her how to live her life.

So my final verdict on this trip......a good trip although tiring.

My feeling in Rhodes & my b'day celebration on 12th August

I'm very happy that I selected Kokkini Porta Rossa as my hotel because I feel very at home here. I feel peaceful and blissful. I could sit in the windy and cool courtyard for hours and without feeling bored. I just idle my day away without doing anything. All I want to do is just enjoy the tranquility and coolness of the place. It allowed me to regain my balance in life and get rid of any negative feelings that I might still harbour in me. This trip has been great so far as I'm finally able to understand how to appreciate being surrounded by new people and not feel lonely. Nikon and Angela have become fast friends and I think I will continue to stay in touch with them as I don't only enjoy their company but also like them personally. They have interesting tales to tell and from them and their experiences I have gained other insights into life.

I don't feel the need to fill my life with acitivities or people anymore. Although I had my birthday dinner by myself, I didn't feel alone or lonely. I actually felt good and actually enjoyed a quiet delicious dinner at Marco Polo. But of course, Angela wouldn't allowed that hence she told the owner of the restaurant it was my birthday and they sang me happy birthday song and gave me complimentary dessert.



For the 1st time among all my birthday trips, I never wish to celebrate my birthday with someone special. I used to wish I have a man in my life to celebrate my birthday with me, but this year such a thought vanished. I felt really happy and contented spending time by myself. I felt complete and fulfilled which I never thought it was possible 😀. I know that mentally I have reached a new breakthrough as well as emotionally.

I learned my own actual self-worth and how to be contented with life little pleasures such as idling my time away doing nothing, but sitting in the lovely , breezy and peaceful courtyard for a few hours and don't feel bored or tired or the pressure to go out for site visits. Btw, the tree is 200 years old 😀! The owners built around it. I never get bored looking at it. Made me feel calmed and relaxed.



And I'm so so so happ that finally, my heart is healed and I have forgiven myself for all the mistakes I made in the past. My urged to write to him one last time via letter had gone and although he does popped into mind occasionally it passed by quickly too. It was a flitting thought about him and I'm fine with it. After all, he had contributed in partly shaping me into who I have become today - a better version of my old self as I learned and understand myself deeper discovered new facets about my feelings and emotions.

It was a great decision to spend my birthday in Rhodes. I have finally set myself free from my own misgivings 😊😉. I'm happy, contented and pleased with myself and everything I have achieved thus far in life from the bottom of my heart! 

Upcoming B'day trip- Rhodes, Greece

Looking forward to my upcoming 1 week birthday getaway to Rhodes Island in Greece. I always want to go to other Greek islands hence I decided to spend my upcoming birthday on August 12 in Rhodes. I will be flying off on the 9th August to Athens, stay a night in Sofitel and on the 10th will fly to Rhodes. I booked a small boutique hotel operated by a couple and so far the owner was very prompt in replying my emails. He even gave me a 25% discount when I told him I was going to celebrate my birthday there. Is kinda cool.

And when I asked him for airport pick up service, he told me he doesn't provides that service but referred me to a taxi operator who can pick me up from the airport and bring me to the door steps of the hotel. I wrote to the taxi operator and he responded within 24 hours. I was impressed with their prompt response and helpfulness.

I haven't plan my daily itinerary during my stay in Rhodes as I intend to follow my heart and do whatever I feel like when I wake up each day. I might not do much on a particular day except for just wandering around aimlessly or drinking wine and reading a good book or people watching. I really don't feel like I have to do a lot of activities to keep myself busy or my trip worthwhile. I want to just follow my heart desires and see where it takes me each day.

I want to be a different type of tourist rather than the typical type where it is compulsory to visit the local attractions and take photos to show that I have been there and done that. I want to try a different travel style and see how it makes me feel. 2017 is a year of testing new approaches/styles/territories. Therefore, Rhodes will be my 1st new test ground for my new travel style.

I have a strong feeling that I will fully enjoy my own company and downtime during the 1 week stay in Rhodes. In the past, I felt that if I don't have anyone to celebrate with me it means that no one loves me enough to care about my birthday. But I don't think like that anymore especially after so much dramas I had to experience in 2016 I have a different outlook on spending time alone. I will take this opportunity to meet new people because it is always easier for solo traveler to meet new people than those travel with friends or family. I'm really looking forward to this upcoming birthday break.

The hotel I will be staying in is called Kokkini Porta Rossa, which is located inside the Old Town and I was informed that taxi needs permit to enter the Old Town. I'm very instructed to explore and I believe it is safe for me to venture out at night too. There is also a New Town so there will be plenty to do. In fact the hotel owner suggested to me to take a day trip to nearby islands. And I might even attempt to drive around the island. If I do that it will be my 1st time driving on the left hand side of the road and in a foreign country. It should be fun. Haha.

Anyway, another 2.5 weeks more to go before my birthday adventure starts. Can't wait 😁

Back in Bali (8.12.16)

My last holiday of 2016 and I'm back in Bali and staying at the same resort as my birthday trip in August. I selected this hotel again is because of the view from the pool. It is just breathtaking. The weather is great so far. Was told it had been raining and thunderstorm for the past few weeks, in fact it rained until 10am today before it stopped. I was also slightly worried that the weather is going to be miserable, but I was optimistic I will bring th sunshine from KL 😃 and I did. At least so far so good so a good start!! 

Right now I'm having my early dinner as I didnt had lunch. Simple curry chicken and white rice dinner, but is flavourful and delicious. Not to forget the million dollar view of the ocean, the waves crashing against the shore and the cooling sea breeze made the dinner extra yummy. I'm surrounded by people and yet I feel perfectly comfortable. 

This trip is very different from my last. My feeling is definitely so different now. I can see and feel everything clearly and finally I'm at peace. I have changed and I know what are the changes and I'm embracing the changes with an open mind and arms. I also came to realisation that Peter Wittendorp is like a shadow, always there, but unseen. His name is still lingering in my mind although I feel nothing towards him anymore. At one stage of my life he was the man I wanted the most. I wanted him to love me and he did, according to his declaration unless that was also a lie like everything else he told me. Anyway it doesn't matter anymore what is lie what is truth. Is the past and let it stay as the past.

I'm happy now. Not only do I regained my old self back, I also become an improved version of myself. I got to know more new guys and understand what I want from a partner better than before. I know what I'm willing and unwilling to compromise and I will speak my mind and be myself at all times! I won't silence my voice to please someone or make the person likes me. I'm enough and will be enough for the right man! 

I'm not perfect and I have flaws, but it is part of who I am. I'm not competing with anyone 😉! I'm looking forward to 2017 as I have a feeling I will achieve greater heights in my career and hopefully meet someone who jive with me

Meanwhile, maybe a Bali fling while I'm here 😂😂😝! Hahahaha

My photos from HK

Attended my good friend and brother company annual dinner last week in HK. Was held in Shangri-La Island. Decent food, but great company. Had a blast drinking and partying with friends. They are planning to go listing in 2 years time. This good friend of mine I met him about 8 years ago when he wanted to buy 2 en-bloc office buildings from me. The deal was aborted at the last minute because the Developer found another buyer who was willing to offer a slightly higher offer than my friend, hence the Developer refunded the deposit to my friend. 

Over the years we kept in touch and about 4 years ago he moved to HK to start a new business and has successfully grown the business in this short time span. Very happy for my friend. My brother is also a shareholder in the company.

I love my simple, elegant and yet sexy look of the night 😀😉! Gloria and Naomi, 2 of my best friends said I looked radiant and glowing in these pictures. A sense of calmness. They were right. I'm feeling calm and peaceful. I love my own happy smile 😜! I missed my own smile and very delighted to get it back. 

I hope my radiant smile will put a smile on other people face. Haha. Just kidding!

Goofy and silly with my friends!